Faneromeni Monastery (Ιερά Μονή Παναγίας Φανερωμένης) is the largest monastery of Lefkada Island, Greece, which has old religious traditions, a nice garden with mini zoo, interesting museums and beautiful church. The monastery was built on a hill near Lefkada town, from where amazing sea views can be seen to the neighboring Agios Ioannis beach.
The building complex of Faneromeni Monastery belong of the best local sights, where the visitors meet with the religious life of Lefkada Island since medieval ages.
Where to stay: find and book apartments and studio in Lefkada Island here!
Where to find Faneromeni Monastery in Lefkada Island, and how to get there
Faneromeni Monastery is located approx. 4 kilometers away from Lefkada town, 2 kilometers away from Tsoukalades and 1 kilometer away from Frini. The access of the monastery is very easy, because it can be reached from the main road which leads between the capital and Agios Nikitas.
The parking lots of Faneromeni Monastery were built just a few meters from the west entrance, and can be used free of charge. This parking lot is quite big and spacious, which can provide places for 25-30 cars at the same time. Its worth to know that the largest monastery of Lefkada Island has two entrances, but at the north entrance there are no parking places due geographical conditions.
From the parking lot you reach the outer gardens of the monastery, where a small zoo was built. Before you enter the building complex, please don’t forget to dress modestly!
History of Faneromeni Monastery
The history of Faneromeni Monastery and its surroundings dates back to ancient times. Local legends tell that thousands of years ago the inhabitants of Lefkada Island built a temple on this hill, dedicated to Greek Goddess Artemis. In the Greek mythology Artemis was described as a daughter of the mighty Zeus, who is a Goddess of hunt, forests and animals.
Two thousands years ago Apostle Paul sent three of his disciples to Lefkada to spread Christianity in the world, and one of them built a church over the ruins of the ancient temple. According the scriptures the founder of the church, Sosion became the first bishop of Lefkada.
Faneromeni Monastery has been rebuilt several times over centuries on the north hills of Lefkada Island, because fires and earthquakes caused serious damages to the first buildings. The name of the monastery, “Faneromeni” originates from the Greek word “Fanerono (Φανερώνω)”, which means “reveal”.
What to see in Faneromeni Monastery, sights and attractions
By visiting Faneromeni Monastery in Lefkada Island travellers can explore many sights in one place. Outside the walls of the main building a small zoo was constructed for birds, turtles, deers and squirrels. The small zoo of Faneromeni is known as ‘the Ark’, where the cages of the animals are surrounded by trees and lush vegetation.
This tiny place is the only one zoo in Lefkada Island, and it can be interesting for smaller kids and children.
Inside the walls of Faneromeni Monastery a spacius garden was constructed, where dozens of flowers and grapes grow next to the sidewalks. The atmospheres of the garden are always peaceful, most of the visitors respect the quiet of this holy place.
The main church opens from the garden, and preserves a lot of sacred icons, frescoes and wood carvings. The entire interior is beautiful, it’s worth to step into the building and look around.
The bell tower of Faneromeni Monastery was built in the north section of the complex, where the other entrance can be find. This area of the tower has amazing views to Agios Ioannis beach and to the north side of Lefkada Island, where the old windmills can be seen.
The entrance to the famous museums of the monastery are situated at the tower, where the Ecclesiastical Museum and the Maritime Museum of Lefkada are open for visitors. These museums are exceptional sights in the region due to the uniqe collections, which introduce the religious life of the island and a lot of naval curiosities.
You have to know there are some buildings in the monastery, which are private areas, and the visitors can’t enter. These parts are signed.
The best museums in Faneromeni Monastery, which are worth to visit
The museums Faneromeni Monastery belong to the best attractions in Lefkada Island. The collections of the local museums are introduced on 3 different floors, separated from each other.The largest local exhibition with its two floors is the Ecclesiastical Museum (Εκκλησιαστικό Μουσείο Ιεράς Μονής Φανερωμένης in Greek), where hundreds of religious objects are preserved.
The exhibiton includes relics not just from the past of the monastery, but from other smaller churches and monasteries of Lefkada Island and its wider region. In the religous collection there are presented many individual relics, silver and gold-plated objects, wooden carvings, hundreds of years old icons and bibles from Byzantian era.
The other local museum of Faneromeni Monastery is known as Nikos Thanos Morinas Maritime Museum (Ναυτικό Μουσείο Νίκου Θάνου “Μορίνα” in Greek), which is located under the Ecclesiastical Museum in the basement. The exhibition of the Maritime Museum is dedicated to introduce dozens of ship miniatures, most of these are hand crafted. Behind the glass showcases you can meet miniatures of legendary ships, such as the Papanikolis submarine, the mighty Titanic, or the famous ships of the great explorer, Christopher Columbus.
In this small Maritime museum besides the miniatures there are other naval objects, which are related to shipping. The exhibition contains old navigation tools, telescopes, sextants, or the clothes of a ship crew as well. The Maritime Musem of Lefkada Island was founded by Nikos Thanos Morinas, an important member of Lefkada Philharmonic Society. These small, but important museums of Lefkada can be visited free, there are no entry fees or ticket prices.
Faneromeni Monastery photos and infos
- Known as: Moni Faneromeni, Ιερά Μονή Παναγίας Φανερωμένης
- Coordinates: 38.825401, 20.678116
- Location: Frini Lefkada 311 00, Greece
- Opening hours: 8:00 – 14:00, 16:00 – 19:00
- Entry fee: free
- 5 km west from Lefkada town
- Facilities: Maritime Museum, Ecclesiastical Museum, shop, mini zoo, toilette, parking lot
- Accessibility: by car (asphalt road)
- Entrance Fee: free
- discreet clothing is required
The photos of Faneromeni Monastery with the best sights of the building complex.
